Festive financial stress: Why delivering practical end-of-year rewards matters
As the festive season fast approaches, UK employees are facing more than just the usual end-of-year pressures. Financial stress is at an all-time high, and for many people, the Christmas period brings more anxiety than joy.
Boostworks’ recent white paper, Side Hustles & the Cost of Living: A Multi-Generational Insight (2025), reveals a workforce under strain. More than 70% of Millennials and 57% of Gen Z are actively considering side hustles to make ends meet. This isn’t just a passing trend. 19% of Gen Z and 11% of Millennials already have second jobs. The driving force is usually financial pressure.
With nearly half of Millennials (49%) and 44% of Gen Z saying that financial stress is affecting their ability to concentrate at work, it’s clear that there’s a productivity and wellbeing issue for employers that don’t offer the right level of support.
Why end-of-year rewards matter more than ever
The festive period is traditionally a time for celebration, reflection and recognition. But for employees juggling rising costs, it can also be a time of financial strain.
Gifting practical rewards at this time of year is not just a nice thing to do, it’s a powerful way to boost employee wellbeing, productivity and loyalty. Here’s why:
- Boosts morale and motivation at a time when employees need it most.
- Supports wellbeing by easing financial pressure.
- Shows empathy and understanding, strengthening trust and loyalty.
- Helps employees stay focused, reducing the distraction of money worries.
But this isn’t about bonuses or one-size-fits-all gifts. It’s about delivering practical, flexible rewards that meet real needs, to truly boost people.
What practical rewards look like
Reward practices should be inclusive, impactful and easy to use. Here are three powerful ways employers can support their teams this festive season, with rewards that’ll land with impact and meaning:
1. Shopping discounts and cashback
Give employees access to shopping discounts with a variety of offers available at supermarkets, high street shops and leading brands. This perk will give employees the valuable opportunity to earn cashback and spend less on groceries, household essentials, activities, gifts and more.
Being able to save money at a choice of retailers is a simple way to help individuals stretch their budgets and reduce financial stress at a critical time.
As a result, this gives individuals the opportunity to do more of the things they enjoy over the festive period and, critically, stress less, helping the season feel more enjoyable and less of a burden.
2. Reward points for products they actually need
Recognise your team with reward points to spend on a wide selection of products, experiences and vouchers.
With the freedom to choose an item that they want or need, the reward can be used by individuals to offset festive costs or buy something special that they otherwise might not have been able to.
Whether it’s something practical like a new kettle or a supermarket voucher, a wishlist item like headphones or a watch, or a gift for a loved one, offering choice through this reward mechanism is a powerful way guarantee meaning and value. The reward goes beyond a pat on the back and becomes tangible support.
3. Digital vouchers with flexibility
Another effective way to provide practical support is by delivering digital vouchers to your team.
This could be a curated selection that individuals choose from or a voucher for a pre-selected retailer of your business’ choice. The benefits are that this approach is simple and easy for your business to administer through a provider and gives employees autonomy over how they use their reward.
For example, when rewarding a workforce with a supermarket voucher, one individual might use it to offset their grocery shopping bill, while another could use it to buy themselves an item that they want – whether that’s a candle, notebook or their favourite bottle of wine.
This flexibility ensures the reward feels personal, relevant and has the opportunity to provide financial support at an important time of year.
The bigger picture: building a resilient workforce
The rise of side hustles is a sign of creativity and innovation, but it also highlights that people are feeling the pinch, still impacted by the rising cost of living and employers could be doing more to provide practical support.
By delivering practical end-of-year rewards, employers can:
- Reduce stress and absenteeism
- Improve engagement and retention
- Show they truly care about their people
It’s not about ticking a box. It’s about making a difference and creating an environment where individuals can thrive in and outside of work.
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, Boostworks
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